Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 311

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 68. Night

Yet no one noticed the wind stirred by the trees.
By then, the surroundings had already descended into chaos.

“Those bastards!”
“Emergency! The Ruler of the Jungle has launched a surprise attack!”

Wee-wee-wee— Wee-wee-wee—
Alarm sirens blared as voices erupted from every direction.
The chaos was most severe around the Imperial Army forces stationed near the four cardinal gates.

“…That one is Roan’s Sword Master!”
“A Necromancer! A Necromancer has appeared!”
“Dark Elves! They’re Roan’s forces from the Caro Kingdom battle!”

The powerhouses of the Jungle and Roan, suddenly revealed, launched relentless attacks against the golems.

“What is happening!”

The Royal Palace at the heart of Jungle Sector 7, the very heart of the Jungle itself.
The Alchemist seated upon Ritana’s throne rushed toward the window, taking in the sight beyond. He could see darkness cutting across Sector 7, which the Empire had occupied and illuminated brilliantly throughout.

Things devoid of light.

“How… how did those things get here…!”

Black aura tore across the sky.
The Necromancer’s black mana engulfed the golems like a spider’s web.
The spirits and black mana of the Dark Elves surged forth, devouring the Empire’s light.

“But they just made the declaration moments ago…!”

Roan Kingdom had just declared war against black magic alongside other kingdoms at Meifel Castle, Wipper Kingdom—essentially a war against the Empire.

‘Yet Roan Kingdom and the Jungle are already in a cooperative state?’

The Alchemist, who oversaw the Jungle invasion, felt a chill run down his spine as he gazed out the window.
Just how far did Roan’s reach extend?
Since when had they become capable of responding so swiftly?

The Alchemist recalled the resolute and confident gaze in Crown Prince Alberu’s eyes from the broadcast.
It was not the look of someone destined to lose.

Beep, beep—

The Alchemist retrieved the orb from his pocket at the alarm’s sound.
A gray-hued orb.
Black mana flowed from the Alchemist’s fingertips.
He was a dark mage as well.

The gray orb infused with black mana glowed brightly, transmitting a voice.

—Destroy the Jungle. Then board the airship immediately and return.

It was the voice of Adin, the Empire’s next Sun. Though weary and hollow, it was clear and resolute.
The bewilderment faded from the Alchemist’s eyes.

‘This works out better, actually.’

He opened his mouth.

“Roan’s forces are now visible.”
—Roan?
“Yes. The Sword Master and the Necromancer—”
—So the commander has arrived as well.

The Alchemist turned his gaze toward the figure that had appeared at the center of Sector 7, following Adin’s words.
Kale Heniatus. His crimson hair was unmistakably visible.

“Yes, he has arrived.”
—I see.

Adin issued his command with finality.

—Proceed with the original plan.

The Alchemist bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will proceed with the original plan.”

Pour dead mana into Sector 7 and transform it into the Land of Death.
A variable named Kale Heniatus had appeared in that plan.

Of course, the Dark Elves and Necromancer had also appeared, but their numbers were insufficient to immediately block all the dead mana bombs. Purification required considerable effort.
It would take them time.

‘And if Commander Kale Heniatus uses that power I’ve heard about, it would actually work out better.’

Kale Heniatus had purified golems, black despair, and dead mana using Destructive Fire, it was said. If he used it here in this jungle now, Sector 7 would ultimately be destroyed as the Empire desired.

That was sufficient.
Thus, as he left the chamber where Ritana’s throne stood, he issued orders to his subordinates.

“Prepare yourselves!”

His subordinates moved swiftly.
He added another command.

“Assemble at the airship according to plan!”

Toward the airship positioned at the center of Sector 7, the Alchemist hurried his steps and continued speaking.

“Detonate the bombs starting from the outer perimeter!”

The outer edges of Sector 7.
The Residential District where no commercial buildings or royal structures stood.
Moreover, the area located near the Main Gates in all four directions.

Beep beep beep-beep-

The light from the beautiful crystal spheres installed atop the bombs began to glow more brightly than before.
The Alchemist drew a sneer across his face.

That was the moment.

BOOM!

An explosion far more tremendous than before thundered across the battlefield.

“T-To the north, sir!”

At my subordinate’s cry, the Alchemist’s gaze snapped northward.

“Ah.”

It was collapsing.
The colossal golem, towering twenty meters high, slowly buckled at the knees and toppled.

A sword had pierced straight through the creature’s chest.
Choi Han, the Sword Master of the Roan Kingdom.
His aura-clad blade had driven through the golem’s right chest—directly through the core’s location.

Screeeech—screeeech—

A horrific wail erupted from the dying construct.
Even the Alchemist trembled at that sound. Though he had participated in the experiments himself, that “black despair” was truly foul and abominable.

But the wail soon ceased.

“…Dark Elves.”

The Alchemist—the black mage—gritted his teeth.
As the two Dark Elves shoved Choi Han aside and surged their mana, they summoned spirits and began channeling their power.

“Ugh!”
“Hack!”

The two Dark Elves plunged their hands into the gaping wound Choi Han had carved through the golem’s body. They gasped in agony, their teeth clenched.

“Grrgh!”

They could hear it.
While that dreadful sound was fading for the others, another cry resonated within the Dark Elves’ minds.

It was the wailing of the dead mana, of those who had become black despair.

Ssssshhhhh—
My hand felt as though it were burning away.
On the surface, my hand appeared perfectly intact.
Yet inside, everything churned with agony.

The two Dark Elves simultaneously recalled Tasha’s words.

‘Endure the pain. You have witnessed the humans dying as they crossed that desert of the Land of Death! This is the wailing of life, dying in far greater agony than those who fled seeking habitable lands, only to perish.’

So bear it.
The Dark Elves clenched their teeth and persevered.

There was no other choice.

“Huff, huff. Gasp.”

Beside them stood Choi Han, trembling violently as he leveled his sword at the Imperial Army surrounding them.
Choi Han’s entire body shook.
He clenched his lips firmly.

‘You wish to participate in this operation?’

After sending Alberu away, when only the two of us remained for a moment, Kale Heniatus posed the question indifferently, and Choi Han answered with unwavering resolve.

‘Yes, I will participate. I can locate and destroy the golem’s core better than anyone.’

And he added:

‘I will not act foolishly this time and burden others as I did before. Please trust me and leave this to me.’

When I first faced the golem, confronted by black despair, I was overwhelmed by powerful impulses and terror. Had Raon and Clophe not been there, I would have not only burdened my allies but committed unspeakable acts.
So I stepped forward again this time.

Because running away would only mean facing it eventually anyway.

When I lived in the Dark Forest, even when fear drove me to flee, I eventually had to confront that enemy again. I failed countless times, but in the end, was I not the one who overcame it all?

Choi Han gripped the sword’s hilt tightly.
Even now, the voice continued echoing within his mind.

‘Consume it.’
‘You’ll grow stronger if you devour that despair.’

Choi Han bit down hard on his lip.
The moment crimson blood spilled, a faint metallic taste filled his mouth.

-Choi Han! Are you alright? The human is coming to check on your condition!

Raon’s voice resonated in my mind.
Simultaneously, I recalled the final words Kale had thrown at me when I insisted on joining this operation.

‘You’ve already paid your dues through meals plenty of times. Take care of yourself instead. Don’t act foolishly.’

A foolish person telling me not to act foolishly.

‘And listen, people can never be perfectly strong. So remember just one thing.’

Choi Han slowly released his bitten lip.

‘Living is what matters most. If possible, live comfortably and happily. Do you understand?’

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand.
With the blood flowing, my mind cleared somewhat. A smile bloomed at the corner of Choi Han’s lips.

Simultaneously, voices from my allies reached me. Two Dark Elves spoke in turn.

“The core—the black despair has been purified!”
“I just need to absorb the dead mana!”
-Choi Han! You’re fine! I knew you’d be like this! Still, be careful! I’m heading to the human!

At Raon’s spirited voice at the end, Choi Han suppressed the laughter threatening to escape and nodded.
My hands still trembled, and something within continued to tempt me, but it was manageable.
Even as I tried to lose myself, my allies’ voices kept reaching me, their figures kept appearing before my eyes, and this night air soothed my heart.

“…I need to move as well.”

Choi Han’s body began moving swiftly once more.
Even with the constraints, it was manageable.

Whoooosh!

In that instant, the first golem behind the moving Choi Han collapsed completely.
Two Dark Elves, one of them wielding particularly potent black mana, followed behind Choi Han, vaulting over the fallen golem’s shoulder.
The Alchemist, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army, bit his lip as he looked at his subordinate, who immediately opened his mouth.

“Preparations are complete!”

At those words, he immediately turned his gaze toward the outer perimeter.
Soldiers stationed at the outer perimeter were rushing toward Sector 7’s boundary or toward the airship.

And there was someone who understood this situation just as clearly as the Alchemist.

It was Kale.
Among the Imperial soldiers and knights who watched me warily without engaging, I could see Imperial forces fleeing from the outer perimeter.

So it begins.
Soon, an explosion will occur.

The moment Kale Heniatus realized it, he heard Meokbo’s voice.

-I cannot purify it.

She spoke of how she could consume dead mana but could not purify it.
Kale recalled what Destructive Fire had said.

Destructive Fire had said that only he, the Necromancer, and the Dark Elves could purify the ‘Black Despair’.
Of course, if it were dead mana, the Priests could manage it as well.

Beep beep, beep beep beep-

A loud sound began emanating from the crystal sphere atop the bomb, like background noise.
The intermittent sounds from the outer perimeter gradually changed in pattern.

Beeeep- beeeep-

The crystal sphere rang out loudly, emitting an even brighter, more beautiful light.
This transformation began from the outer edges.

Even so, Kale could see the quiet Residential Districts.
They must have all awakened by now.
The people of the Jungle were undoubtedly holding their breath in their homes right now, unable to light a single flame.

I understood that feeling.
When I was Kim Rok-soo, I too had crawled into the ruins of collapsed buildings to hide from monsters, holding my breath to survive.
I had stayed awake through countless nights, unable to sleep from fear of powerful enemies.

I knew that feeling all too well.

Even with enemies before me, I closed my eyes.

-Human, I am here!

Because Raon was with me.
Then I heard the Glutton Goddess’s voice.

-That’s why I couldn’t even purify it, only ate while stained black until I died. I couldn’t bear to watch the land turn black.

I recalled the words the Glutton Goddess had spoken when I first met her in the past.

‘I don’t think I could give up this taste even if I gained weight. It’s so unfair that I died eating dirt!’

I had thought she simply starved to death.
Now I understood what kind of earth she had consumed.

In a place covered by rocks, in a place without trees—what had she eaten before she died?
Why had the land turned black?

Anger began to well up inside me gradually.

Why was everything so pitiful?

The Glutton Goddess, Jjangdol—all of them had lived such tragic lives.
I recalled the black tree that stood alone upon the desolate land. Though it was barren, that land was not dead, not infected with dead mana.

-I could only be a shield.

The Glutton Goddess, stained black, had to remain alone and silent within the black tree for over ten thousand years.

-I cannot do anything alone.

The Glutton Goddess was different from the terrifying Jjangdol. Jjangdol could attack. But she possessed no power to attack. She had only the power to protect, only the strength to defend.

That is why she always needed companions.
Just as a tree cannot grow alone, she needed companions beside her to grow.

A shield.
The power to protect something.
It could only become truly strong when there existed something to protect.

An unbreakable shield.
Only after more than ten thousand years had passed could she finally find a new companion.

Kale Heniatus.
After a long wait, he was the one she had chosen anew to protect.

Thud.
Thud. Thud.

Tiny sounds scattered throughout the spaces between the explosions.

“Huh?”

The Jungle people, who had been holding their breath and observing the outside situation amid the explosions and brilliant light, froze with widened eyes.

They’re falling.

The Glutton Goddess’s voice reached Kale Heniatus.

-The trees are helping.

Small branches from the trees began to fall one by one.
And soon after.

Boom. Thud.
Thud!

Branches from the massive trees fell as well.

Trees throughout Sector 7 surrendered pieces of themselves. Only the Jungle Kingdom’s people, who remained silent and motionless without fighting, could see it.

The branches embedded themselves into the ground.
That was the moment.

The center of Sector 7.
The Alchemist, who had somehow climbed aboard the airship, shouted to his subordinate holding the crimson crystal sphere.

“Detonate the perimeter immediately!”
“Yes! Three!”

As the subordinate holding the crimson crystal sphere shouted.
As the few remaining Imperial soldiers near the outer edges began to flee all at once.

“Two!”

Beep beep— beep beep—
The moment the beautifully glowing crystal sphere began to lose its radiance.

Click.
When a small sound emanated from the bomb installed on the massive cylinder.

In that instant, Kale Heniatus felt a peculiar sensation.
I could sense everything.
It was as if my senses had touched every corner of this Sector 7. Because of this, I recited the obvious command the Glutton Goddess had taught me.

“Grow.”

The earth trembled.

The branches that the trees throughout Sector 7 had surrendered.
They, scattered and embedded in the ground everywhere, began to grow.
They became living life in response to Kale Heniatus’s command and moved.

“W-what is this?!”
“What? Why are the trees doing this?”

Rumble, rumble, rumble—
Massive tree trunks appeared within the Imperial Army’s field of vision.
They grew larger and larger, moving with increasing speed.

Whisper, whisper—

Leaves trembled.
The trees wailed.
No—the trees were roaring with anguish.
And Kale Heniatus heard them.

I have given you my body, so protect it.

Kale Heniatus’s hands answered those pleading trees.
The colossal tree trunks that had sprouted around the perimeter.

“Hana!”

The moment the Alchemist’s cry tore through the air—

Crack!

The crimson crystal sphere in his hand shattered.
And in that same instant, all eyes witnessed it.

Dozens of massive tree trunks split apart and encircled the dead mana bombs.
Like a shield.

No.
Like a prison.
The tree trunks had sealed away the dead mana bombs.
The moment this sight registered—

Beep, beep—

The light from the crystal sphere vanished completely, and the sound cut off.
Moments later, the dead mana bombs positioned on the outer edges of the hundreds began detonating in sequence.

Boom! Crash! Boom!

Black liquid shot skyward in towering columns.
But they could not reach the heavens.

Ssshhhhh—

Tree trunks blackened before my eyes.
Shattered and scattered by the explosions, yet growing anew—dozens, no, hundreds of tree trunks extended their branches toward the dead mana, reaching with relentless hunger.

The Imperial Army’s gaze turned toward a single figure.
Tree trunks were sprouting around him as if by command.

Kale Heniatus smiled at the Imperial soldiers and spoke.

“Consume.”

Devour and devour again.
The blackened tree trunks, like serpents, swallowed the dead mana bombs whole.
With each consumption, the trunks grew darker still, black as the night itself.

Ssshhhhh—
As the trees sang their hunger, the world descended deeper into darkness.

The beginning of hell unfurled before the Imperial Army.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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